News

4 August 2010

O2 promotes Wi-Fi as a ‘faster’ alternative to its 3G network

Operator sends out text advising customers to use Wi-Fi a month after stopping unlimited data

O2 is advising its mobile customers to use a Wi-Fi connection instead of the 3G network when at home. The move comes after O2 stopped unlimited data tariffs on 24 June. Coverage problems have forced the operator to invest heavily in its network over the past year, particularly in London and the south-east.

The text message said: ‘Get the most out of your phone by connecting it to your internet at home using Wi-Fi. You could get a better connection and a faster speed.’

One source said: ‘O2 is telling its customers that instead of using its own network they should connect to another network.’

An O2 spokeswoman said: ‘We're sending out the text message about Wi-Fi to selected customers who we think will value this kind of information. This activity is intended to help customers to get the most out of their handsets, and Wi-Fi is often faster.’